‘Dad’ stabs 8-year-old daughter to death before knifing himself in the stomach: Police

An eight-year-old girl in England died late last month after she was stabbed to death, allegedly by her own father.

The Guardian reports that Mylee Billingham, 8, was pronounced dead shortly after being found with stab wounds at her father’s home in Walsall on January 20. The father, 54-year-old William Billingham, has been charged with Mylee’s murder and with making threats to kill.

According to Sky News, Billingham had been hospitalized in critical condition with a stab wound to the stomach, apparently self-inflicted, and West Midlands Police planned to interview the suspect when he was medically fit. According to the more recent Guardian report, Billingham was discharged on Friday and spoke to investigators then.

Authorities have not released any motive for the attack. Billingham maintained an active Facebook page, which gave the impression of a doting father. He had posted several photos of Mylee in the weeks before her murder, and she appeared happy and well-cared for in the photos. The suspect appears to have more daughters who are younger than Mylee but they may not have the same mother. It is not clear where those children are living now.

Billingham is expected to appear in court on Monday. Police told the Guardian that they are not seeking any additional suspects at this time.